CHARLOTTESVILLE, Va. -- Francis Salem Eways, Sr., "Frank", 80, of Charlottesville, Virginia, passed away on Sept. 12, 2019, surrounded by close family and friends. He owned and operated Frank S. Eways Oriental Rugs & Gallery of Ruckersville for 45 years until passing the torch to his son Frank Eways, Jr. in 2012.

Eways was born June 13, 1939 in Reading, Pennsylvania, to Salem Musa Eways and Nimeh Essis Eways. He graduated from Reading High School, later served in the United States Marine Corps and went on to become a respected member of the Pennsylvania State Police Force.

On June 15, 1963, he married Pearl Evora Schreffler at Grace United Methodist Church in Harrisburg, Pennsylvania. In 1967, he left the Pennsylvania State police force, a job he loved, and relocated his family to Charlottesville to assume responsibility for the family's Oriental rug business upon the death of his father.

Eways served two terms as president of the Oriental Rug Retailers of America, Inc. (ORRA) and was inducted into the ORRA Hall of Fame in Los Angeles. He also served as chairman of the National Appraisal Committee during which time he formulated the current and only program and examination used to certify Oriental rug appraisers for the United States and Canada. He worked with the Federal Bureau of Investigation and various law enforcement agencies throughout the United States as chairman of the National Theft Information Committee.

Eways' many achievements throughout his life included written articles for Southern Living Magazine, Oriental Rug News and Collectors News. His special television appearances on ABC's Primetime Live with Chris Wallace, ABC's 20/20 with Barbara Walters and NBC's Today Show with Bryant Gumbel enabled him to showcase his work with the FBI and local law enforcement agencies to formulate a program for the recovery and identification of lost and stolen Oriental rugs.

Throughout his incredible life journey, his proudest achievement was his family. He was an extraordinary husband and father who made a positive impact on many. He was a kind and generous person always willing to lend a hand, expecting nothing in return. He enjoyed spending time with his children and grandchildren whenever he could.

In addition to his wife of 56 years, Frank is survived by his four children: Vicki Eways Johnson and her husband Andrew, Angela Eways Farnwalt, Francis S Eways, Jr., and his wife Laura, Salem Eways and his partner Devon; nine grandchildren: Adam Johnson, Jessica Johnson, Emma Farnwalt, Nicholas Farnwalt, Ryann Whiteberg-Eways, Kasey Tyler Monroe-Eways, Lleyton Coombe, Lylah Eways and Harrison Eways. He is also survived by his brother, Terry Eways and his wife Evelyn, sister-in-law Anne Eways and many nieces, nephews and cousins.